■ GERMANY
Bremen in talks with Allofs
Werder Bremen have called an emergency meeting in hopes of convincing sought-after general manager Klaus Allofs to stay at the club. The 51-year-old Allofs has been instrumental in turning the small northern club into a top team, but he alarmed Bremen by saying on Monday that he has received several offers from other clubs. Reports say they include top rivals Bayern Munich. "I cannot confirm that I will stay in Bremen. First we have to talk with each other," Allofs said. The special meeting will be held today by the club's supervisory board, which is expected to offer a sizable pay increase offer to Allofs, whose contract runs out in 2009. "We absolutely want to keep working with Allofs, even if it is the supervisory board that wraps up the contract, not the club's management," club chairman Juergen Born said on Thursday. Allofs, who took over in 1999, forms a highly regarded team with coach Thomas Schaaf. Bremen captured the Bundesliga title in 2003-2004 and have finished in the top three the past four years, making them a regular in the Champions League. Bremen's soaring popularity has threatened to eclipse Bayern in Germany.
■ ROMANIA
Teixeira joins Pandurii
Romanian club Pandurii Targu Jiu are signing a new coach and 11 players from Portugal in a desperate bid to stay in the first division. "Joaquim Teixeira agreed a two-and-a-half year deal and his main task is to avoid relegation," Pandurii Targu Jiu president Marin Condescu told reporters. Condescu said Teixeira's compatriots would be hired by Jan. 7, when the new squad will begin training for the re-start of the Romanian season in late February following a winter break. Teixeira, Pandurii's third boss this season, was on the coaching staff with Porto from 1996-1998 and the Portugal national side from 2000-2002. Pandurii, who are second from bottom, put nine players on the transfer list earlier this month.
■ BRAZIL
Gavilan deal called off
Flamengo will not sign Paraguay midfielder Diego Gavilan because he failed a physical exam on Thursday. "Flamengo's medical department recommended the club not to hire Gavilan," Flamengo said in a brief statement on their Web site. The club did not immediately release details on what type of injury prompted the cancellation. The announcement was made just moments before the 27-year-old Gavilan was to be officially introduced to fans. Flamengo had reached a one-year deal with the defender last week. A former Newcastle United and Udinese player, Gavilan played this season for Brazilian club Gremio. He is serving a 120-day suspension for punching Palmeiras midfielder Jorge Valdivia in the back during a Brazilian league match. The suspension will end in February, but the player has appealed and could be allowed to play earlier.
■ BELGIUM
Mouscron appoint Scifo
Enzo Scifo was hired as coach of Belgian club Excelsior Mouscron on Thursday. Scifo, 41, had been out of soccer for two years. As a player, the midfield playmaker helped Belgium reach the semi-finals at the 1986 World Cup -- the country's best result ever. After a playing career spent at Anderlecht, Italian clubs Inter Milan and Torino, and French teams Bordeaux and Auxerre, Scifo briefly coached Sporting Charleroi. "I had not expected a return like this," Scifo said. Mouscron fired their coach 10 days ago after disappointing results.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely